Tag Archives: James Finley
Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us
Spirituality and Addiction Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us Thursday, November 18, 2021 In this conversation, CAC teacher and therapist James Finley shares his belief that we can only be freed from our addictions by healing our original wound—a loss of connection with divine love. Jim speaks here about the healing nature of seeing ourselves… Continue Reading Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us
A Path of Awakening
Christianity and Buddhism A Path of Awakening Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Unlike Jesus, who was born into a lower class, Siddhartha Gautama (who became the Buddha) renounced his high caste in the process of his transformation. Both teachers understood that our true inner nobility has nothing to do with external circumstances. Buddhist teachers Pamela Ayo… Continue Reading A Path of Awakening
Our Compassionate God
Compassion Our Compassionate God Wednesday, September 29, 2021 CAC core faculty member James Finley gently reminds us of our infinite preciousness to God. God cannot help but meet us with compassionate love. Offering ourselves compassion is one step to encountering the depths of God’s compassion for us. Compassion is the love that recognizes and goes… Continue Reading Our Compassionate God
Lost in the Secret of God’s Face
Living in God’s Great Story Lost in the Secret of God’s Face Wednesday, September 1, 2021 In an episode of his podcast Turning to the Mystics, James Finley shares how he first encountered the work of Thomas Merton (1915–1968) and how it changed the course of his life. He says: When I was at home… Continue Reading Lost in the Secret of God’s Face
Present, Open, Awake
Doorways to Christian Contemplation Present, Open, Awake Monday, July 12, 2021 My friend and CAC teacher James Finley is a true contemplative! I watch the crowds—from conferences to Living School students—settle in his presence almost immediately. He is so centered in himself and in God that he is at peace and “transmits” the message with… Continue Reading Present, Open, Awake
The Mystics as Directors
Spiritual Direction The Mystics as Directors Thursday, June 24, 2021 In addition to his work as a therapist, my friend James Finley has served as a spiritual director for decades. While spiritual direction most often involves one-on-one conversations between two living persons, Jim shows us how reading the words of the mystics can be a… Continue Reading The Mystics as Directors
Transformed in the Beloved
Mystical Marriage Transformed in the Beloved Friday, May 14, 2021 The infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite union with infinite love will do. It’s the setup in the beginning. . . . That infinite love creates you as… Continue Reading Transformed in the Beloved
Our All-Vulnerable God
Trauma and Healing Our All-Vulnerable God Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Very few of us can actually imagine God suffering. I bet almost half the prayers of the Catholic Church begin with “Almighty God” and when you’re “all mighty,” you don’t suffer! And yet if we believe that Jesus reveals the hidden heart of God, we… Continue Reading Our All-Vulnerable God
A Mutual Vulnerability
Wounded Healers A Mutual Vulnerability Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Earlier this year, my colleague and dear friend Jim Finley gave an unpublished talk to Illuman, an organization that supports men in authentic spiritual development. Jim shared some stories from his own life, including how he began to heal from his own childhood abuse and trauma… Continue Reading A Mutual Vulnerability
The Illusion of the Separate Self
True Self/Separate Self The Illusion of the Separate Self Tuesday, September 1, 2020 CAC faculty member James Finley studied under Thomas Merton as a young monk in formation. While many have been influenced by Merton’s writings, few have had the opportunity to learn from the mystic himself. Today, Jim reflects on the insights on the… Continue Reading The Illusion of the Separate Self